‘Blue Bloods’: Frank Reveals How Family Dinners Help Him in Episode Dealing With Mental Health
Blue Bloods tries to cover important subjects when it comes to police officers. This newest episode included a very important story about an officer dying by suicide, which led to a discussion about mental health.
Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) revealed how family dinners help him. Find out what he said and more about the tradition.
The Reagans have the tradition of family dinner on ‘Blue Bloods’
The Reagans have family dinner every week. Jamie (Will Estes) revealed the origin of this tradition to Eddie (Vanessa Ray.) One family member is the creator of the tradition.
“Because my grandmother grew up poor in a small town in Ireland,” he told her. “She was the oldest of 12 kids and there was never enough to eat. She moved to New York to make money. She met my grandpa and when they got married she promised herself that they would always have more than enough to eat. Family dinner was just her way of proudly proving that every week.”
The family obviously still has dinner together once a week. There is an unwritten rule of who sits at the table and it was broken in this new season.
Frank’s friend previously broke a dinner rule
Season 10 had an interesting start because family dinner was different. The dinner table is usually only filled with Reagans. This time Frank’s friend, Lenny (Treat Williams) joined them.
That’s because it was the show’s 200th episode. Lenny was also having family trouble with his own daughter.
“I was very honored that I was invited to the family dinner,” Williams told TV Insider about his appearance. “No outsider had ever had dinner with the family.”
“I don’t think they’re used to somebody being Frank’s equal, being comfortable with Frank to call him nicknames and to give him a hug and to kiss him on a cheek,” he said.
The dinner still went over well and hit a few things about family home for Lenny. Frank doesn’t open up much about his own feelings, but a recent episode showed what family dinner meant for him and his mental health.
Frank said family dinners help him deal with the job
The episode “Where the Truth Lies” starts with a police officer shooting himself in a cop car. His wife blames Frank because she believes no one has officers’ backs anymore.
The Reagans talked more about suicide at the dinner table. “Why do so many cops kill themselves anyway?” asked Sean (Andrew Terraciano.) He got multiple answers.
“The stress of the job,” answered Eddie. “It’s easy access to a gun,” answered Jamie. “The cumulative trauma of the job,”” answered Frank. “And too proud to ask for help,” added Henry (Len Cariou.) “Most days you’re faced with the worst of human kind and the most vulnerable victims.”
The episode ended with the officer’s widow talking to officers about reaching out for help. Someone then tried to give advice to Frank to take care of himself.
“Frank, maybe you should avail yourself to one of our programs to share with what’s weighing on you,” said Walter. “I got my own program for that Walter,” he said back. The commissioner then added, “My family’s dinner table.”
Family dinner has proved to be a time for multiple members to talk about what is happening at their job. Sometimes it leads to good advice, and other times it leads to debates. In the end, Frank feels like he is able to take the load off there.
How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line.
